I can vividly remember the very first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book I ever read "Dream A Little Dream". I was instantly hooked and became a lifelong fan. Her character Rachel Stone was firmly embedded in my heart. While reading CAN'T BUY ME LOVE by Molly O'Keefe I realized that the main character Tara Jean Sweet reminds me of Rachel. Strong, yet so vulnerable with a heart as big as could be but with little or no pride or confidence left after a life that broke them down rather than encouraging personal growth.

For Tara Jean there are words she never expects to hear from anyone -- I'm so proud of you. Very telling about the kind of life Tara manages to survive. The fact that her self confidence is long gone, non-existent and replaced by self loathing is not a big surprise. How do you look yourself in the mirror when your reflection brings you a sense of dread -- is this what I've become -- a shell of a person -- a victim. Either you face your demons or they will destroy you. Tara is losing the battle with hers until Luc.

Sure it is a crazy scheme designed to bring his children back home. Lyle Baker isn't known for caring about the repercussions from his actions, all his life he never really cared about anything or anyone. But he somehow has developed a relationship of sorts with this young woman he meets during one of his hospital stays. She matters to this gruff insensitive man and that's what concerns his absentee family who reluctantly decide to return home and challenge the impending marriage between their father and this hussy. That is exactly the reaction that Lyle hopes for when he has Tara pose rather provocatively dressed in a photo with him that is sent to his children. Luc and his sister Victoria and her son Jacob are descending on the Crooked Creek ranch but for decidedly different purposes.

Luc's hockey career is nearing its end based on the residue injuries he sustained over the years. Victoria desperately needs a place to regroup and if honest hide from the ever present media circus hovering since her husband's Ponzi scheme was discovered and his suicide left her broke, alone and frightened. Both Luc and Victoria are somewhat fragile -- just in different ways.

Going to the ranch provides Victoria and Jacob a place to jump start their lives. For Luc it represents a place to recuperate from his latest knock to the head and hopefully give him some room to decide what his future holds.

Getting to know Tara Jean is quite a challenge for Luc. She manages to stonewall him at every opportunity. Tara definitely isn't what Luc expects. She projects a hard edged front but Luc is able to see beyond that in rather short order. She confuses him. She entertains him. In truth she attracts him beyond his wildness imagination. There are obviously several layers to this woman and Luc is really interested in uncovering them all.

Hidden in those layers is a well guarded secret to Tara's past, one she needs to remain hidden. Reopening that door could bring violence back into her world. And even scarier is the fact that violence could touch one of these people that had become quite dear to her. Deflecting that damage becomes her top priority but at what price.

No doubt in my mind Molly O'Keefe is a very talented storyteller. Her books leave you wanting more. This is part of a three book series -- next Can't Hurry Love and then finally Crazy Thing Called Love. I didn't actually read these in any order which was just fine as each one does an admiral job of standing on its own. O'Keefe is a recent discovery of mine and I'm delighted to say she has a new fan. Well written and funny dialog with just the right amount of mystery keeps CAN'T BUY ME LOVE moving along at a rapid pace.